John 13:24
So Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus which one He was talking about.
So Simon Peter
Simon Peter, often simply referred to as Peter, is one of the most prominent apostles in the New Testament. His name, Simon, is of Hebrew origin, meaning "he has heard," while Peter, from the Greek "Petros," means "rock." This duality in his name reflects his role as both a listener and a foundational figure in the early Church. Historically, Peter is known for his impulsive nature and deep devotion to Jesus, characteristics that are evident in this passage as he seeks clarity from Jesus.

motioned to him
The act of motioning indicates a non-verbal communication, suggesting urgency and discretion. In the context of a first-century Jewish meal, where participants reclined at a table, such gestures would have been necessary to maintain the flow of conversation without interrupting the proceedings. This subtle action by Peter underscores his eagerness to understand Jesus' words and his reliance on the beloved disciple, likely John, to gain insight.

to ask Jesus
The Greek word for "ask" here is "eperōtaō," which implies a request for information or clarification. This reflects Peter's desire for understanding and his recognition of Jesus as the ultimate source of truth. In the broader scriptural context, asking Jesus is a recurring theme, symbolizing the disciples' dependence on Him for wisdom and guidance.

which one he was talking about
This phrase highlights the uncertainty and tension among the disciples during the Last Supper. Jesus had just revealed that one of them would betray Him, a shocking announcement that left the disciples in confusion and self-reflection. The phrase "which one" indicates the disciples' lack of understanding and their need for Jesus to reveal the truth. It also sets the stage for the unfolding of the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion, emphasizing the gravity of the moment and the fulfillment of prophetic scripture.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Simon Peter
One of Jesus' closest disciples, known for his impulsive nature and strong leadership among the apostles. In this passage, he is curious and concerned about Jesus' statement regarding betrayal.

2. The Beloved Disciple
Traditionally understood to be John, the author of the Gospel. He is reclining next to Jesus during the Last Supper, indicating a position of closeness and trust.

3. Jesus
The central figure of the Gospel, who is about to reveal the identity of His betrayer. His foreknowledge and calm demeanor contrast with the disciples' confusion.

4. The Last Supper
The setting of this event, where Jesus shares a final meal with His disciples before His crucifixion. It is a time of intimate fellowship and significant teaching.

5. Betrayal
The event Jesus is alluding to, which will soon be carried out by Judas Iscariot. This act sets in motion the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Spiritual Curiosity
Peter's motion to the beloved disciple to ask Jesus a question demonstrates a desire to understand Jesus' words more deeply. As believers, we should cultivate a similar curiosity about God's Word and seek understanding through prayer and study.

The Role of Close Fellowship
The beloved disciple's position next to Jesus at the table signifies a close relationship. This reminds us of the importance of maintaining a close, personal relationship with Christ through prayer, worship, and obedience.

Trust in Jesus' Sovereignty
Despite the impending betrayal, Jesus remains in control. This teaches us to trust in His sovereignty, even when circumstances seem uncertain or troubling.

The Reality of Betrayal and Sin
The passage highlights the painful reality of betrayal, even among close friends. It serves as a reminder of the pervasive nature of sin and the need for vigilance and prayer in our relationships.

The Fulfillment of Prophecy
Jesus' awareness of His betrayal fulfills Old Testament prophecy, reinforcing the reliability and divine inspiration of Scripture.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Peter's action in this verse reflect his character, and what can we learn from his example about seeking understanding in our spiritual lives?

2. In what ways does the beloved disciple's proximity to Jesus during the Last Supper illustrate the importance of maintaining a close relationship with Christ?

3. How does the setting of the Last Supper enhance our understanding of the significance of Jesus' words and actions in this passage?

4. What can we learn from Jesus' calm demeanor in the face of betrayal about trusting in God's sovereignty in our own lives?

5. How does the fulfillment of prophecy in this passage strengthen our faith in the reliability of Scripture, and how can we apply this understanding to our daily walk with God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Matthew 26:20-25
This passage provides a parallel account of the Last Supper, where Jesus explicitly identifies Judas as the betrayer.

Luke 22:21-23
Another account of the Last Supper, emphasizing the disciples' confusion and questioning among themselves about who would betray Jesus.

Psalm 41:9
An Old Testament prophecy that foreshadows the betrayal of Jesus by a close friend, highlighting the fulfillment of Scripture.

Acts 1:15-20
Peter's later reflection on Judas' betrayal and the fulfillment of Scripture, showing his growth in understanding and leadership.
A Four-Fold Theme for ThoughtD. Thomas, D. D.John 13:18-30
A Last AppealT. Whitelaw, D. D.John 13:18-30
A Specially Loved DiscipleS. S. TimesJohn 13:18-30
A Title that was Better than a NameJohn 13:18-30
Can We Now Lean on Jesus' BosomBp. Stevens.John 13:18-30
Christianity not Responsible for the Words or Deeds of its ProfessorsH. C. Trumbull, D. D.John 13:18-30
Christ's Special Affection for St. JohnJohn Milne.John 13:18-30
Familiarity with ChristD. Thomas, D. D., S. S. Times., W. Denton, M. A.John 13:18-30
Horror of Treachery NaturalC. J. Brown, M. A., S. S. Tinges.John 13:18-30
IngratitudeJ. Brown, D. D.John 13:18-30
Jesus and the TraitorJ. Jowett, M. A.John 13:18-30
Judas, John, and PeterMonday ClubJohn 13:18-30
Leaning on Jesus' BosomJ. Morgan.John 13:18-30
Lying on Jesus' BreastG. J. Brown, D. D.John 13:18-30
Nearness to JesusT. Thomas.John 13:18-30
The Apostacy of JudasBaptist Noel.John 13:18-30
The Beloved DiscipleT. Summerfield, M. A.John 13:18-30
The Conspicuousness of ApostatesC. H. Spurgeon.John 13:18-30
The Dramatic Interest of the ActMonday ClubJohn 13:18-30
The Final StepJ. A. Froude.John 13:18-30
The History of Judas in Relation to the Divine DealingsG. T. Keeble.John 13:18-30
The Practical Uses of Christ's TroublesBp. Wordsworth.John 13:18-30
The Sacred BreastE. M. Golburn, D. D.John 13:18-30
The Saviour's TroubleBp. Ryle.John 13:18-30
The Sin and Folly of the Crime of JudasC. Stanford, D. D.John 13:18-30
The Successive Steps by Which the Traitor Reached the Climax of His GuiltC. Ross.John 13:18-30
The Sufferings of the Soul of JesusH. Kollock, D. D.John 13:18-30
The Timid Encouraged to CommunionJ. N. Norton, D. D., Bp. Ryle.John 13:18-30
Titled Believers; the Disciple Whom Jesus LovedC. H. Spurgeon.John 13:18-30
Warnings as to the Conduct of the TraitorC. Ross., D. Thomas, D. D.John 13:18-30
Why Did Christ Choose JudasW. J. Dawson.John 13:18-30
Why Jesus Roved JohnF. W. Robertson, M. A.John 13:18-30
Jesus and the TraitorB. Thomas John 13:21-30
People
Jesus, Judas, Peter, Simon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Beckon, Beckoned, Beckoneth, Disciple, Gestured, Inquire, Makes, Making, Motioned, Peter, Referring, Sign, Simon, Spake, Speaketh, Speaking, Speaks, Spoke, Talking
Dictionary of Bible Themes
John 13:24

     5113   Peter, disciple

John 13:18-30

     2570   Christ, suffering

John 13:21-26

     2045   Christ, knowledge of

John 13:21-27

     5798   betrayal
     8729   enemies, of Christ

Library
December 16 Morning
Having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.--JOHN 13:1. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.--Greater
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

May 16 Morning
A servant of Jesus Christ.--ROM. 1:1. Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.--If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.--Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.--Being made free from sin, and become servants
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

July 10 Morning
The disciple is not above his master.--MATT. 10:24. Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord.--If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep your's also.--I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

July 4 Morning
Leaning on Jesus' bosom.--JOHN 13:23. As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you.--They brought young children to him, that he should touch them. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.--Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.--A high Priest . . . touched with the feeling
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

July 28 Morning
Walk in love.--EPH. 5:2. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.--Above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.--Love covereth all sins. When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.--Love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again.--Rejoice not when thine enemy
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

September 4 Evening
What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.--JOHN 13:7. Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. When I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord God, and thou becamest mine.--Whom the Lord
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

October 21 Evening
The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.--JOHN 13:16,17. There was . . . a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief,
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

August 30. "Happy are Ye if Ye do Them" (John xiii. 17).
"Happy are ye if ye do them" (John xiii. 17). You little know the rest that comes from the yielded will, the surrendered choice, the abandoned world, the meek and lowly heart that lets the world go by, and knows that it shall inherit the earth which it has refused! You little know the relish that it gives to the blessing to hunger and thirst after righteousness, and to be filled with a satisfaction that worldly delight cannot afford, and then to rise to the higher blessedness of the merciful, the
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The Love of the Departing Christ
'... When Jesus knew that His hour was come that He should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end.'--JOHN xiii. 1. The latter half of St. John's Gospel, which begins with these words, is the Holy of Holies of the New Testament. Nowhere else do the blended lights of our Lord's superhuman dignity and human tenderness shine with such lambent brightness. Nowhere else is His speech at once so simple and so deep. Nowhere else have
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

'Is it I?'
'And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto Him, Lord, is it I? 25. Then Judas, which betrayed Him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.'-MATT. xxvi. 22, 25. 'He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto Him, Lord, who is it?'--JOHN xiii. 25. The genius of many great painters has portrayed the Lord's Supper, but the reality of it was very different from their imaginings. We have to picture to ourselves some low table, probably a mere tray
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Dismissal of Judas
'... Then said Jesus unto Judas, That thou doest, do quickly.'--JOHN xiii. 27. When our Lord gave the morsel, dipped in the dish, to Judas, only John knew the significance of the act. But if we supplement the narrative here with that given by Matthew, we shall find that, accompanying the gift of the sop, was a brief dialogue in which the betrayer, with unabashed front, hypocritically said, 'Lord! Is it I?' and heard the solemn, sad answer, 'Thou sayest!' Two things, then, appealed to him at the moment:
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Cannot and Can
'Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek Me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go ye cannot come; so now I say to you.'--JOHN xiii. 33. The preceding context shows how large and black the Cross loomed before Jesus now, and how radiant the glory beyond shone out to Him. But it was only for a moment that either of these two absorbed His thoughts; and with wonderful self-forgetfulness and self-command, He turned away at once from the consideration of how the near future
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Seeking Jesus
'... Ye shall seek Me.'--JOHN xiii. 33. In the former sermon on this verse I pointed out that it, in its fullness, applies only to the brief period between the crucifixion and the resurrection, but that, partly by contrast and partly by analogy, it suggests permanent relations between Christ and His disciples. These relations were mainly--as I pointed out then--two: there was that one expressed by the subsequent words of the verse, 'Whither I go, ye cannot come'--a brief 'cannot,' soon to be changed
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Rash Vow
'Jesus answered him, Wilt them lay down thy life for My sake? Verily, verily I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied Me thrice.'--JOHN xiii. 38. In the last sermon I partly considered the dialogue of which this is the concluding portion, and found that it consisted of an audacious question: 'Why cannot I follow Thee now?' which really meant a contradiction of our Lord; of a rash vow; 'I will lay down my life for Thy sake'--and of a sad forecast: 'The cock shall not crow till
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Servant-Master
'Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside His garments; and took a towel, and girded Himself. After that He poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded.'--JOHN xiii. 3-5. It has been suggested that the dispute as to 'which was the greatest,' which broke the sanctities of the upper chamber, was connected with
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Glory of the Cross
'Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him. If God he glorified in Him, God shall also glorify Him in Himself, and shall straightway glorify Him.'--JOHN xiii. 31, 32. There is something very weird and awful in the brief note of time with which the Evangelist sends Judas on his dark errand. 'He ... went immediately out, and it was night.' Into the darkness that dark soul went. That hour was 'the power of darkness,' the very keystone of
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

'As I have Loved'
'A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another: as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another.'--JOHN xiii. 34, 35. Wishes from dying lips are sacred. They sink deep into memories and mould faithful lives. The sense of impending separation had added an unwonted tenderness to our Lord's address, and He had designated His disciples by the fond name of 'little children.' The same sense here gives
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Quo Vadis?
'Peter said unto Him, Lord, why cannot I follow Thee now! I will lay down my life for Thy sake. Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for My sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied Me thrice.'--JOHN xiii. 37, 38. Peter's main characteristics are all in operation here; his eagerness to be in the front, his habit of blurting out his thoughts and feelings, his passionate love for his Master, and withal his inability to understand Him, and his self-confident
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

October the Twentieth the Lord as the Servant
"Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He came forth from God, and goeth to God...." --JOHN xiii. 1-20. And how shall we expect the sentence to finish? What shall be the issue of so vast a consciousness? "He took a towel, and girded Himself ... and began to wash the disciples' feet." So a mighty consciousness expresses itself in lowly service. In our ignorance we should have assumed that divinity would have moved only in planetary orbits, and would have
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

25TH DAY. Heavenly Illumination.
"He is Faithful that Promised." "What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter."--JOHN xiii. 7. Heavenly Illumination. As the natural sun sometimes sinks in clouds, so, occasionally, the Christian who has a bright rising, and a brighter meridian, sets in gloom. It is not always "light" at his evening-time; but this we know, that when the day of immortality breaks, the last vestige of earth's shadows will for ever flee away. To the closing hour of time, Providence may be to him
John Ross Macduff—The Faithful Promiser

Love is the Touchstone by which the Reality of Truth is Perceived...
1. Love is the touchstone by which the reality of truth is perceived, and by it shall all men know that ye are My disciples (John xiii.35). I also make use of the sword of justice, so that at first sight some are inclined to think that, like Solomon, I intend to finish My work without mercy (1 Kings iii.16-28), but My object, like his, is to apply the touchstone of love which will bring out the truth, and show that you are the children of that God of Love who gave His life to save yours. You ought
Sadhu Sundar Singh—At The Master's Feet

The Paschal Meal. Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet.
(Thursday Evening of the Beginning of Friday.) ^D John XIII. 1-20. ^d 1 Now before the feast of the passover, Jesus knowing that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto his Father, having loved his own that were in the world, he loved them unto the end. [Since the second century a great dispute has been carried on as to the apparent discrepancy between John and the synoptists in their statements concerning the passover. The synoptists, as we have seen in the previous section,
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

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